Texas may have the world's largest convenience store

By Zeke MacCormack

Updated 2:06 pm, Tuesday, May 8, 2012

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Visitors from the Philippines ? Darrel Malsit (from left, with camera), Divina Beason and Wilma Gilliam ? were among those at Buc-ee?s new store in New Braunfels on its opening day. Photo: Robin Jerstad, For The Express-News / SA

Visitors from the Philippines ? Darrel Malsit (from left, with camera), Divina Beason and Wilma Gilliam ? were among those at Buc-ee?s new store in New Braunfels on its opening day. Photo: Robin Jerstad, For

Terri Weaver poses with the Buc-ee statue at the new store, the largest in the chain. General manager Dan Parkinson said new features include wider aisles, a farmers market and an indoor area for hunting equipment. Photo: Robin Jerstad, For The Express-News / SA

Terri Weaver poses with the Buc-ee statue at the new store, the largest in the chain. General manager Dan Parkinson said new features include wider aisles, a farmers market and an indoor area for hunting

Karen Westerman looks over T-shirts on opening day of the Buc-ee's store in New Braunfels Monday, May 7, 2012.

Karen Westerman looks over T-shirts on opening day of the Buc-ee's store in New Braunfels Monday, May 7, 2012.

Photo: Robin Jerstad, For The Express-News

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Rachel Langerwey of New Braunfels looks at Buc-ee the beaver hitch covers during the opening day of the Buc-ee's store in New Braunfels Monday, May 7, 2012.

Rachel Langerwey of New Braunfels looks at Buc-ee the beaver hitch covers during the opening day of the Buc-ee's store in New Braunfels Monday, May 7, 2012.

Photo: Robin Jerstad, For The Express-News

Texas may have the world's largest convenience store

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NEW BRAUNFELS - The long-awaited opening of Buc-ee's on Monday drew swarms of shoppers, from curious newcomers to regulars seeking favored treats and some quality throne time.

"I really like it," said San Antonian Cathie Williams, 57, intent on expanding her collection of T-shirts featuring the chain's trademark logo of a bucktoothed beaver.

"Every time I go, I get a different color shirt," she said, sporting a red Buc-ee's shirt.

Most patrons were struck by the enormousness of the 26th store in the chain that Arch "Beaver" Aplin III and Don Wasek founded in Lake Jackson in 1982.

"It's huge," local resident Alonzo Suarez, 50, said of the 68,000-square-foot building off northbound Interstate 35 at exit 191. It could easily be mistaken for a movie theater if not for the 60 gas pumps out front.

The chain's biggest claim to fame among weary highway travelers is spotless restrooms featuring lots of art and even more toilets.

"The bathroom was fantastic," said Stephanie Aguilar, 77, emerging from the women's 34-stall restroom.

Pat Garrett, a worker from the Buc-ee's in Luling, helped make sure the bathrooms - advertised far and wide on billboards - were up to snuff.

"I haven't had one complaint," said Garrett, 85. "Come to Buc-ee's and you can sit on your own throne."

General manager Dan Parkinson chimed in, "This is just the next step in our evolution of taking over the free world, one clean restroom at a time."

He said new features of the chain's largest-ever store include wider aisles, a farmers market and an indoor area for hunting equipment.

Cynthia Proctor came out of retirement to land one of the 250 jobs at the store.

"It's a very welcome addition to our community," said Proctor, 60, over the display of kolaches.

Rusty Brockman, director of economic development at the Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce, said forecasts indicate that the store will host about 5,000 vehicles a day, generating an estimated $800,000 a year in sales tax for the city. That doesn't include property taxes banked by local taxing entities.

"It's a great addition to our economy," New Braunfels Mayor Gale Pospisil said.

The Buc-ee's opening was such a big deal that McKinzey McCabe, 11, left school early.

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"We love Buc-ee's because they've got everything you could possibly want," she said, holding a stuffed beaver doll that went for $12.99.

Her grandmother Annie Brown of Louisiana was sold on Buc-ee's even before seeing the bathrooms. "I heard they're fantastic," said Brown, 61. "We're going before we leave."